Can't kill the poor fish

meames_2

Alex, my 10 year old rescue goldfish has developed dropsy. the treatment hasn't worked and at the moment he is at the bottom of the tank on his side looking like he is gasping. I know the kindest thing to do is to put him out of his misery but I can't. It is making me cry thinking about it.

Practically I doubt he will survive the night. He is a largish gold fish (about 6 inches) and I don't know how I can dispose of him, he won't flush, would he get dug up if I buired him?

Gingham_Ribbon

Sorry to hear about your fish.

I'm assuming you've checked that the water quality is okay (high nitrite and nitrate levels are a major cause I think) and have tried treating him.

If you can't euthenise him, that's fair enough. I can understand that. Though a swift blow to the head or immersing the fish in an oil of clove solution are humane methods if you change your mind.

You really shouldn't flush fish down the toilet. Just put it in a freezer bag, seal it and put it in the bin.

meames_2

thanks

The water quality is ok, the other fish are fine. perhaps it is partly old age. I've had him for 8 years but someone else had him for along time before that.

There_Goes_Trouble

Sorry about your fish. It is hard to know what to do with them after they pass away.

I've always taken my small animals to the vets after they've died and they dispose of them for me. I know they just go in with the clinical waste, but at least they don't get dug up or end up on a landfill site to be carried away by whatever animal fancies them. My animals are small mamals though and I'm a regular customer.

meames_2

previously, any other fish that have died have been tiddly, but this one is big! I think I will take him to the vets to get them tod ispose of hime. this awful, poor fish.

SUESMITH_2

we buried ours and they didn't get dug up

tight_arze

Although this is probably too late now.. is the goldfish still attempting to eat anything when food is put in the tank?

Our fish began swimming on its side and gasping for air. I was advised to feed it some mushed pea which acts as a laxative to fish and can reduce the swelling. Sounds crazy but within a couple of days our fish was swimming normally again.

Worth a try.

Missy_Spud

can you bury him in a large plant pot and put some gravel on top? We did this with 2 of our pet rats we only have a yard, so bought a huge planter filled it with soil and we have them both burried in there now, nice and deep with a good layer of gravel on the top and a plant pot with flowers in on top of the gravel. There are quite a few cats round here too and they have never dug any of them up.

meames_2

Thanks

I have just tried peas, hopefully he will pick up. he was eating until yesterday morning.

Should the worse come to the worst I do need to plant a rose, so he will rest in peace there

princesslaura

I had a goldfish that developed dropsy and wouldn't respond to any treatment. My local fish shop were willing to euthanise and dispose of him if I was unable to. Unfortuntely he didn't last the night.

meames_2

Hi

Just to let you know poor Alex went this morning. He now is buried under a rose in a plant pot.

Thanks for all your help.

Regards

Meames